The Detroit Lions won’t have the services of tight end Sam LaPorta for an extended period of time thanks to injury.
LaPorta sustained a back injury in Week 10 that required surgery and landed him on injured reserve, which means he has to miss at least four games.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like LaPorta will be back after those four games, and he might not make it back at all this season.
Here’s what we know about the young tight end’s chances of returning in 2025.
Is Sam LaPorta playing today?
No, LaPorta won’t suit up in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers.
LaPorta has to miss at least four games after he was placed on injured reserve and has only missed two games thus far.
Sam LaPorta return timeline
Lions head coach Dan Campbell had some bad news in his latest injury update on LaPorta.
Campbell said that LaPorta needed surgery on his back and there’s a good chance we won’t see him again this season.
“I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season,” Campbell said, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “I think that’s very, very slim.”
On the bright side, LaPorta’s surgery went well and there is no evidence the injury will impact him in the future.
“The good news is the procedure went really well long-term,” Campbell added.
Losing LaPorta hurts the Lions in multiple ways.
Not only is he a good blocker, but LaPorta is one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL and the Lions don’t have another tight end on the roster who can match what he does in the passing game.
Detroit will be depending on Brock Wright to step into a bigger role in LaPorta’s absence, and Ross Dwelley and Anthony Firkser will back him up.
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